Renaissance tips

Scott Kawasaki holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Guests staying at select Renaissance Hotels will soon have access to RENAI, a virtual concierge.

With so much to see in Rome, you’d be forgiven for never making it outside the city limits, but the wealth of attractions doesn’t end with the Colosseum or the Vatican. If you choose to explore the region of Lazio, of which Rome is the capital, you’ll be richly rewarded.

Some 400 years ago, Cardinal Ludovico Ludovisi — whose family would produce two popes, more than a dozen cardinals, and a smattering of statesmen — bought what became known as the Villa Aurora from Italy's Orsini family. A sprawling estate on the outskirts of Rome, it included an art collection that drew admirers from across Europe and, most notably, Caravaggio's only ceiling mural.

A week after Beyoncé announced the Renaissance World Tour, I sat hunched over my laptop, with less than two minutes to make a two-thousand-dollar decision.

With its illustrious past and timeless beauty, Florence continues to captivate visitors with its awe-inspiring masterpieces, charming cobblestone streets, and the lingering spirit of some of history's greatest artistic minds. Join us as we embark on a journey through this extraordinary city, tracing the footsteps of Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and other luminaries who shaped the course of Western civilization, and discover why Florence remains an unparalleled destination for art enthusiasts, history buffs, and seekers of inspiration alike.